NCAA game: ‘long shots’; goodbye to unselfish leader

Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 9:09 am

This may spark some discussion, maybe not, but the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is, I believe, the best team sport event played today. There are those who argue and prefer the World Series or the Super Bowl.

This year’s basketball final last Monday night had high ratings which climaxed two weeks of post-season action. The tourney always features upsets along the way, just ask me and the others who fill out the bracket each year thinking this will prove what a basketball expert we are/are not. However, what I liked best about this year’s tussle between Louisville and Michigan was the return of a different brand of basketball, particularly in the first half. In a game normally dominated by high flying, electrify dunks accomplished by powerful big men, two shooters, one from each team, exhibited another, even more, attack from another facet of the game….the long range bombs from beyond the arc. Seemingly from a ‘galaxy far, far away’ a young man averaging only 1.8 points per game, poured in 17 points in the first half. Yes, Spike Albrecht stepped up for the Michigan Wolverines on the biggest stage of his young life. A bench player not expected to do big things, Albrecht reminded many of Jimmy Chitwood in the famed “Hoosiers” as his long-range bombs swished through the nets at seemingly ease. He filled the void when Michigan’s Trey Burke, NCAA Player of the Year, was forced to the bench. But then, right before the half, Louisville’s Luke Hancock got in the act. His consecutive three-point field goals pulled the Cardinals to within one at the half. Louisville went on to win the game.

Two guys who wouldn’t let a reserve role diminish their efforts and two guys assuming leadership under pressure. Due to their performances, how many kids were sent out the following day to outdoor courts, sharpening up their outside shooting skills?

On a sad note, the Troy R-III School District and many district patrons are mourning the loss of Dr. Terry Morrow, retired superintendent who left this world at the young age of 56. He served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Missouri schools for 33 years until two years ago. His interest in education was evident as he completed his doctorate degree in the last year. Often one doesn’t feel or fully appreciate the impact of good, unselfish work. Under his leadership, two schools were built and many others renovated to meet the needs. New programs were added to further student education possibilities, a greater emphasis placed on staff development and a renewed effort to meet with district patrons (Coffee Talk) were all led by Dr. Morrow. Dale Black, school board president in many of Morrow’s years in Troy said on his Facebook page: “Terry Morrow was a great man. Unselfish in his dedication to children. It was never about watching out for himself but it was about watching out for the best interest of our kids. I saw this consistently with my own eyes. Those are my genuine thoughts about him. Job well done Terry!” I couldn’t say it better.